How To Identify and Report Unsafe Working Conditions

The concept of getting paid for work has been part of human history. The expectation is that the worker will perform a prescribed task and get paid a fair wage. The employer needs to provide the tools and a safe environment to complete the task. What happens if that employer creates an unsafe environment and the worker is injured? There was a time when the worker had no recourse. They took care of themselves or were fired.

Today, many safety regulations exist to minimize the risk of injury to workers. Unfortunately, those regulations are not always enough. According to data collected from the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of preventable workplace deaths went up by 5% in 2022, for a total of 4,695 fatalities. In the same time period, 4.53 million medically consulted injuries happened on the job. All of these injuries resulted in over 167 billion in medical expenses and lost income.

There are safety protocols that have been developed by The Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Wyoming OSHA). Those regulations are meant to be followed by all employers and employers. These are the bare minimums of those regulations that employers must provide:

• Inspecting the workplace to ensure it conforms to OSHA standards
• Providing a workplace free from recognized hazards
• Providing safety training, if necessary
• Ensuring employees have safe tools to perform their roles
• Placing OSHA posters at prominent locations in the workplace
• Maintaining a record of injuries, exposure to hazardous materials, and deaths

What happens if there are unsafe working conditions? They should be reported immediately to the appropriate channels. First, you need to learn how to identify those conditions.

Here are some examples of unsafe working conditions in the workplace:

Chemical Hazards

Certain jobs require working with potentially hazardous materials. If those materials are not handled or stored properly, they can lead to short- and long-term health effects. Those can include such injuries as skin rashes, poisoning, and disorders of the liver, kidneys, and lungs. The following are some common workplace chemical hazards:

• Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium
• Pesticides
• Paint
• Solvents
• Caustic substances
• Acids
• Ergonomic Hazards

There are physical challenges to every job. Even an office job where you’re sitting all day could lead to ergonomic injuries that impact your spine, back muscles, and musculoskeletal system. These are the types of injuries that occur over prolonged periods of time. Ergonomic hazards include some of the following examples:

• Poor posture
• Constant vibration
• Awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive
• Poorly adjusted workstations
• Frequent lifting
• Contact stress

Unsafe Equipment

There is the right tool for every job. It is up to the employer to provide those tools. Depending on the job, those tools can include anything from power tools to heavy machinery. Whatever tools are required, they need to be in good working order. Based on the OSHA regulations, there might also be a need for safety equipment, including the following:

• Safety glasses and shoes
• Hard hats
• Respirators
• Gloves
• Earplugs or muffs
• First aid kits

If those safety equipment items aren’t provided, it could lead to injury, and your employer could be liable for it.

Blocked Safety Exits

Part of the workplace conditions that OSHA requires are at least two exit routes. The bigger the workplace, the more exits are required. These routes must be accessible and unobstructed. That means no equipment, boxes, furniture, or other unwanted items should be blocking the exit route. In addition to safe exit routes, employers must provide occasional drills to inform employees about the best way to leave the work area in an emergency.

Unsanitary Working Conditions

An unsanitary workplace can expose employees to illnesses or injuries. A dirty office can become a breeding ground for viruses, and dirty floors can lead to slip-and-fall accidents.

How To Report an Unsafe Working Conditions

Every worker who encounters unsafe working conditions has the right to report those incidents without fear of retribution. There are various ways to report unsafe working conditions.

Report Directly to Your Employer

The first person you should report unsafe working conditions to is your supervisor. This is the fastest way to correct the situation. However, before reporting the situation, you should take photos of the condition and note the day and time to lock down the evidence. If the situation isn’t addressed immediately, then you can move on to reporting to OSHA. Keep in mind that you can report the incident to your supervisor and to OSHA at the same time.

File Your Complaint With OSHA

Wyoming workers should file a workplace safety complaint with Wyoming OSHA. The other option is to visit the federal OSHA complaints page to report your unsafe workplace concerns.

Providing Information for an Inspection

Ideally, your complaint to OSHA should trigger an immediate inspection. You should make yourself available to participate in the inspection so you can show the potential violation and provide supportive details, such as how long the condition has been in place. The employer may be fined for the violations if there are willful violations.

Getting Legal Support from Edwards Law Office, P.C.

Accidents can happen at any workplace. However, when those workplace accidents are clearly caused by negligence, you have the right to address what happened and seek a remedy.  That could come from filing a workers’ compensation for your injuries and lost wage expenses. It could also mean filing a formal complaint against your boss and the company you work for. A free consultation with Edwards Law Office, P.C., to discuss what happened can point you in the right direction for what to do next. Call to set up that consultation today.